Pitt football freshman Mason Alexander, 18, dies in car accident in hometown

The Pittsburgh Panthers football team is grappling with the sudden and tragic loss of freshman cornerback, Mason Alexander, who died in a car accident on Saturday.

According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Alexander, 18, was a passenger in a 2016 BMW traveling on Florida Road in his hometown of Fishers, Indiana. The driver of the car attempted to pass another vehicle but swerved to avoid a head-on collision after entering the northbound lane. This maneuver caused the BMW to veer off the road and crash into a tree, resulting in a fire. When first responders arrived at the scene, Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene around 9 p.m. ET.

Alexander graduated early from Hamilton Southeastern High School in Indiana and enrolled at Pitt in January.

“Mason is a special young man who is going to be dearly missed,” Hamilton Southeastern football coach Michael Kelly said Sunday morning. “To be honest, I don’t know if I’m still in shock but the hardest thing to think about is how things can happen to people, especially somebody like him. He had a presence and positivity about him that was unique. He didn’t think he was bigger than life in any way, and he had next level talent.”

Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi shares condolences

Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi released a statement following the news of Alexander’s passing, expressing his deep sorrow and acknowledging the impact of this tragic loss on the team.

“I received a call this morning that no parent, teacher or coach ever wants to get – the news of the sudden loss of a young and promising life. Our entire program is shocked and deeply sadden to learn of Mason Alexander’s passing,” Narduzzi wrote.

Alexander was one of the top recruits in the country as a cornerback. He was a two-time all-state selection and had offers from several top programs before picking Pitt over Purdue, Wisconsin and others.

Contributing: Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mason Alexander, Pitt football freshman, dies in car accident